Interprovincial project in Amazonia offers musical formation for children

The Marist Mission in Amazonia is an initiative of the three Marist Provinces of Brazil, which counts on the support of other congregations, as well as the action of religious and lay volunteers who work in the region. In April 2022, the Marist Community of Labrea took over, together with the Parish of Saint Francis and Saint Sebastian, at the mouth of the Tapauá River, the Project of Formation of Teachers of the Indigenous Villages which are on the banks of the Tapauá, Cuniuá and Piranha Rivers. Brothers Nilvo Luiz Favretto and Ronilton Neves Santos were sent to accomplish this mission. They live in Santo Antônio do Camaruã and, besides the project with the teachers from the indigenous villages, they animate the Pastoral Care, celebrate with the community, give school tutoring and adult literacy classes.

In this context, the project “Nos Acordes Desse Rio” (In the Chords of this River) was born. It is a musical initiation program, with theoretical and practical guitar lessons for children, teenagers and young people from the communities of Foz do Tapauá and Camaruã. The objective of the project is to bring culture, knowledge, strengthen musical talents and teach how to play an instrument, so that the communities can use it in local celebrations, liturgical animation, and pastoral meetings.